The Diagnostic Value of End-Tidal CO2 in Patients Diagnosed With Pneumothorax

Pneumothorax (PTX) is defined as the accumulation of air in the pleural space. PTX can cause a disruption in the perfusion of lung tissue in the affected area and increase intrathoracic pressure, potentially leading to obstruction of venous return and, consequently, posing a life-threatening condition. Therefore, PTX requiring urgent intervention is a significant concern in emergency departments. End-tidal carbon dioxide (ETCO2) provides insight into carbon dioxide levels resulting from lung perfusion and serves as a respiratory parameter informing the prognosis of various critical illnesses. One of the most important factors determining lung perfusion is the effective lung area. Among the crucial issues for emergency departments are PTX cases, which typically regress following urgent intervention, leading to the establishment of an effective lung area. Hypotheses have been proposed in the literature suggesting that ETCO2 may be affected in PTX cases due to the relationship between effective lung area and ETCO2. In this study, investigetors aimed to investigate changes in ETCO2 levels following tube thoracostomy applied to PTX cases.